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Doncaster MPs Caroline Flint and Rosie Winterton were among guests at the Hitachi Doncaster Carr Train Maintenance Depot, which will test and maintain the 65 strong fleet of Azuma trains currently being built in County Durham.

The MPs went aboard one of the new Azuma trains, which are due to come into service on the East Coast Main Line in 2019, and then discussed work at the centre with new apprentices, Adam Fisher, Thomas Groves and Harry Wood.

Said Caroline: “Doncaster has a railway tradition dating back to 1876. But what we are seeing is a real renaissance of rail in Doncaster, with Hitachi’s train maintenance centre, the new iPort rail inland rail freight hub and the High Speed Rail College.

Said Rosie: “Hitachi has invested £80million in the state of the art centre, including the 280m train maintenance centre, putting Doncaster at the centre of high speed rail for many years. This is a huge vote of confidence in Doncaster’s rail industry and, in partnership with the High Speed Rail College, we are seeing the first apprentices complete their training and join Hitachi’s workforce that will grow to 250 in a real industry of the future.”

“Hitachi are not just creating a modern fleet of trains for our railways, but they are keen to create a modern workforce and determined to boost recruitment of young women into the rail industry.”

“This visit from Caroline and Rosie signifies the importance of our £80million investment in Doncaster and the need to inspire a new generation of engineers in the area. We welcome their support for a thriving rail industry in the north.”

Hitachi has a 27.5 year contract with the Government to supply 65 Azuma trains, capable of travelling at 140mph. Hitachi is also bidding to build the HS2 trains; and bidding to introduce digital ticketing for Transport for the North, covering five cities and operating on buses and trains.

The Doncaster Carr Train Maintenance Centre took two years to build, has 4 kilometres of track, a 280m maintenance centre, a train washing facility and a tyre turning centre. The centre tests all new Azuma trains and adds the livery (some of the seats, interior décor, painting and logos).

Doncaster MPs Caroline Flint and Rosie Winterton were among guests at the Hitachi Doncaster Carr Train Maintenance Depot, which will test and maintain the 65 strong fleet of Azuma trains...

Read Caroline Flint's reply to an open letter from Frederika Roberts, spokesperson for Best for Doncaster, the campaign for a second EU referendum.

Dear Ms Roberts

I was disappointed to see you publish an open letter on Facebook on 24 October claiming that I haven’t replied to your emails. I have therefore published this reply.

Perhaps you may recall that I wrote to you in November 2016 about the triggering of Article 50. I also wrote to you in September 2017 about the commitments I made at the election. I wrote to you about EU citizen’s rights in December 2017. Finally, I wrote to you in January 2018 about Amendment 7 of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill - the meaningful vote.

Indeed, just in case these slipped your mind, I thought you might have known that I have corresponded with three other members of your family.

I also reminded you that you can follow my views on Brexit on my website. It is disingenuous to suggest that I ignore you because you are a European citizen and not able to vote in general elections.

In relation to your recent “invitation” on 21 October:

No. I did not wish to join a People’s Vote stunt held in another constituency.

No, I do not appreciate three people demonstrating outside my constituency office, raising concerns for my staff.

No, I do not agree with your latest email in which you suggest my constituents who voted Leave are ‘Turkeys that voted for Christmas’. That is frankly an insult to people who simply took a different view during the referendum from you (and I).

I campaigned for Remain for months during the 2016 referendum, but I do not recall meeting you.

Since the referendum, I fought a general election where my party promised to accept the outcome of the 2016 vote. I will continue to honour the pledges I made at the 2017 general election. I do not believe that a Second Referendum is the answer. I want to represent both Leave and Remain voters and bring people together. A second referendum would drive people apart and not resolve our relationship with Europe.

In your letter, you refer to disastrous a No Deal Brexit would be. On that we agree. I believe the UK can achieve a deal that provides certainty for businesses; protects your rights as an EU citizen and maintains peace in Northern Ireland.

Read Caroline Flint's reply to an open letter from Frederika Roberts, spokesperson for Best for Doncaster, the campaign for a second EU referendum. Dear Ms Roberts I was disappointed to...

Caroline Flint has joined members of the Rossington-based, Dig It n Grow gardening group to plant new trees as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

Said Caroline: “It was great to join the Dig It N Grow gardening group to plant two silver birch saplings in the grounds of the Rossington Memorial Hall, until the saplings are strong enough to be replanted in a local woodland. Ann Cullen and Alan Cresswell have organised a fantastic group who do gardening and litter picking in the community every week.

“The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy is a network of forest conservation initiatives to mark Her Majesty's lifetime of service to the Commonwealth, and with the support of the partnership between Wildlife Trust, Sainsbury’s and ITV, the Trust is donating 50,000 trees to the project.”

In April, ITV screened a landmark documentary, The Queen's Green Planet, following Her Majesty the Queen and this ambitious legacy project which brings together her deeply held commitment to the Commonwealth and her little-known love of trees.

In support of the programme the Woodland Trust provided 50,000 trees for ITV viewers, and via the Rt Hon Frank Field MP, who conceived the QCC initiative, also offered a special commemorative pack to every MP in the UK.

Woodland Trust Chief Executive Beccy Speight said:“We are delighted that Caroline Flint has joined our bid to plant trees as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. We all need trees. They are a cornerstone of our landscape and countryside, forming an essential and cherished part of our cultural identity. They are crucial in improving soil health and water quality, reducing carbon, trapping pollutants, slowing the flow of flood water, sheltering livestock, providing a home for wildlife or a space for us to breathe. I hope that Rossington residents will enjoy watching them flourish as part of this wonderful legacy initiative.”

Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe said:“As the Woodland Trust’s largest corporate partner, we’re committed to raising awareness of the importance of the UK’s woods and trees, and contributing to their conservation. Sainsbury’s recently planted its three millionth tree with the Trust, and the thought of being able to get so many more in the ground as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy with the support of so many MPs is an exciting prospect.”

Dig It n Grow is part of the Rossington Smile group, based at Rossington Memorial Hall. The group has been active for ten years in the community and based in Rossington for the last three.

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering over 22,500 hectares, offering free public access to its woods.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) is a unique network of forest conservation projects which unites the Commonwealth family of nations to save one of the world’s most important natural habitats. Established in the name of Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth, this initiative is committed to raising awareness of the value of established indigenous forests, and saving them for future generations, as well as planting new forest.